Voice calls, Ypager uses ALL CPU

[zebedee]

Hi,
I'm having a problem hopefully someone will be kind enough to help.
Using yahoo messenger v7
Windows XP SP2
Intel Celeron 700 Mhz, 512 MB RAM

When I make or receive a PC to PC call the CPU goes to 100% and yahoo itself gives a message:
"You may experience poor sound quality in your call if your computer is too busy. To fix this problem, try closing other programs."
When I look it is ypager.exe that is uing up to 95% CPU, which pushes total CPU to 100%. After this the PC generally doesn't respond very quickly, and sometimes when you try to close yahoo it crashes.

If I don't use voice calls on yahoo it behaves fine. I used to use Skype for voice and MSN for webcam and was hoping to use just yahoo for both, but can't get past this problem.

Incidentally it works fine on my laptop, but that does have dual core processor.

Any help is appreciated.

Zeb

[pkorisa]

Originally Posted by zebedee

Hi,
I'm having a problem hopefully someone will be kind enough to help.
Using yahoo messenger v7
Windows XP SP2
Intel Celeron 700 Mhz, 512 MB RAM

When I make or receive a PC to PC call the CPU goes to 100% and yahoo itself gives a message:
"You may experience poor sound quality in your call if your computer is too busy. To fix this problem, try closing other programs."
When I look it is ypager.exe that is uing up to 95% CPU, which pushes total CPU to 100%. After this the PC generally doesn't respond very quickly, and sometimes when you try to close yahoo it crashes.

If I don't use voice calls on yahoo it behaves fine. I used to use Skype for voice and MSN for webcam and was hoping to use just yahoo for both, but can't get past this problem.

Incidentally it works fine on my laptop, but that does have dual core processor.

Any help is appreciated.

Zeb

HI Zeb, one really never knows what causes these CPU-hog kind of problems. Could be a damaged file, could be infected file etc. I'd take a series of steps: 1) Check your PC for any virus infections. 2) Check for Spy/AdWares using at least 2 software like SpyBot and AdAware. 3) Uninstall YM completely and delete, manually if you have to, all Yahoo related folders. 4) Download a new copy of YM and install it.

Now check our the vocie and see if the problem is corrected. If not, let us know. PK

[zebedee]

Thanks for the tips, I will give it a try. I did try to uninstall, then re-install once, but didn't check thoroughly that all components were removed.

I'd be interested to know if anyone uses voice without problems on a similar spec machine, mine's a bit old but still copes with most things (not games).

Zeb

[Eagle_Kiwi]

Hi Zeb - and welcome to the BBB.

My "spare" PC resembles yours:

Using yahoo messenger v7.5.0.333
Windows XP SP2 (but without any subsequent Windows Updates)
Intel Celeron 800 Mhz, 256 MB RAM
standard XP firewall - no other firewall or antivirus program running.

I have no trouble with pc-to-pc Calls on it - in fact I've just checked, using Task Manager, Performance:
During a CALL my CPU usage seemed to have a constant zigzag pattern ranging from about 20% to 70%, and no sign of any YM crashing/freezing.

As for the YM version, I used to have 7.0 on it, and no major problems there either - so - I figure your PC SHOULD be quite capable...... so maybe there's some OTHER fly in the ointment !?

I'd agree with PK's first 2 suggestions, then as well I suggest being sure that nothing ELSE (unnecessary) is running at the same time as your YM.

Good luck, and keep us posted on progress.
YM is too good to have not working properly (though hey, you're only one of hundreds who DO have problems lately )

P.S. My PC can also handle Yahoo Games (e.g. Pool, Spades, etc) ok, so there's another difference!?
THAT makes me wonder if perhaps you don't have the right JAVA installed, though I don't THINK a YM Call has any need for anything related to Java.
There's also a Macromedia Flash player that I think YM uses at some time - PERHAPS that could be another avenue to explore later.

[zebedee]

Ok, firstly thanks for the tips. Despite running antivirus realtime protection, when I did the scans I found 1 virus and a whole bunch of crap-ware! After uninstall/re-install yahoo, remove some unwanted startup programs the situation is only slightly better.

Now:

without webcams
total cpu = average 80% CPU
ypager = average 62% CPU

with webcams
total cpu = av. 100% CPU
ypager = av.67% CPU

BTW I am using Yahoo! Messenger with BT Communicator (7,0,0,438,YIMS)

As extra info I also have the XP firewall on the PC and access the internet using a netgear wireless router which also has a firewall. Are these likely to be causing a problem?

[Eagle_Kiwi]

I think XP firewall should be no problem.
As for the router firewall, I'm not sure, but I'd guess that might just BLOCK certain things, but not slow anything down as such. And you're not "losing" anything, so that should not be an issue.

But, you didn't mention webcam before - I too have assorted intermittent problems when I add webcam to voicechat on YM. I generally settle for voice only.

And one more thing - the "realtime virus protection". I mightn't recommend as a permanent solution, but I wonder how much (if any) THAT may be slowing the process down. Are you able to temporarily kill it, and spot any difference ?

And I guess the other point of difference if your BT Communicator - I've no idea if/how that might affect anything. But I guess you COULD try a standard "international" version of YM, maybe ?

(Sorry, in a rush heading for work Tue morning here - proofreading and/or further thoughts later, maybe )

[zebedee]

Initially I wasn't using webcams, voice alone was enough to kill the CPU. But I do intend to use them, previously I 'd used Skype for voice which worked fine and then MSN for webcams which was OK, but refresh rate wasn't always great. When Skype v2 came out with webcam support I was keen to try it out and make life easier, but since installing installing it my sister in Poland gets terrible voice quality. I don't know if its the new software or some problem with their ISP, so that's why I switched to Yahoo.

I think I will try a few more tests, with things switched off. I doubt the AV would affect things as there won't be much files being written, but I'll can it anyway.

The only complication with the wireless router is the port forwarding because it acts as a NAT device. Right now I have 5050 - 5070 and 2000 - 2021 forwarded to the PC, but I'll double check if this is right.

Oh, I just tried messenger 7.5 and it was no different.

I'll keep going with it, so thanks for the pointers, it works good on my laptop so I really want to get it going on the PC.

Zeb

[stupidisasstupiddoes]

If possible install a quality sound card to unload your CPU. That should help.

[zebedee]

Do you really think that it is the sound processing that is causing the problem? Is there anything I can check to confirm it?

I just looked on www.pcworld.co.uk at sound cards, wow! They range from £7.99 to£120 (CREATIVE - SOUNDBLASTER X-Fi PLATINUM - SOUND CARD). Are there any specific features I should look out for, I would assume anything is better than the built in audio. For those who know about this sort of the thing and are interested the following comes from the manual regarding the audio:

It has Audio Modem Riser (AMR) which is a port that supports both audio and modem. The backbone of this is on AC'97 compliant AC-Link
with support for codes.

I'll try and find some time this weekend to do the testing on anti-virus and firewalls.

[Eagle_Kiwi]

Hi again, Zebedee.
Just checking back, and wonder if by now you may have got over your problems - or not ?

(I'd HOPE that maybe the newish YM 7.5 which is no longer Beta MAY have cured everything !?)